Cherelle Khassal forced a great save from Burle before Lauren Dolbear was called into action as a Loughborough shot had the keeper at full stretch.

Save of game was from Burle, who was caught off her line by Simmonds who lofted a shot from 30 yards towards goal – the keeper raced back and managed to block the ball on the line.

Dolbear was called into action again, blocking with her legs before captain Lauren Cheshire made a crucial challenge that saw Chi go on the counter-attack. Clark picked out Khassal just inside the box and she controlled the ball and struck a half-volley that found a Loughborough defender in her way.

It was a stalemate at half-time after both teams pushed and trying to gain control.

Chi hit the ground running in the second half as Clark popped up for her fifth goal of the season just two minutes from the restart.

Jade Widdows put a great cross into the box, Burle stretched to claim it but she spilled the ball and Clark pounced on it at the back post, beating the defender to put Chi deservedly ahead.

The side netting was rustling after a Clark free-kick and Stephens missed a great chance with a free header from Widdows’ perfect cross.

The Foxes looked for a way through and Katie McLoughlin smashed the ball towards the top corner but Dolbear got a strong hand on it, sending it out for a corner.